Is someone truly great if their path includes cheating or aligning themselves with people who do?

This question came up for me this morning when I was thinking about the Super Bowl and Tom Brady. He is often referred to as a G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). His football acheivements are truly remarkable...6 Super Bowl rings and 10 appearances. No one even comes close let alone the dominance and longevity in a sport that lays waste to some great athletes.

He's been involved with Spygate and DeflateGate. His brand, TB12, Inc. is so carefully constructed as witnessed by his perfectly neutral public statements (never takes a side, not even on issues of race) yet took $960,855 in Paycheck Protection Program funds, while he makes roughly $25 millon/year, in the midst of so many struggling businesses.

Tomorrow the announcers will fawn over him elevating him to godlike status supporting his "underdog" brand and not blaming him for anything that happens.

No doubt he his an incredibly gifted athlete, who's focus and commitment have driven him to where he is now. However, does his or anyone's talent subjugate or denigrate what it means to be truly great?